Sling and Swaddle

I know I've been pretty scarce the last month, but I've been busy competing in the Sling and Swaddle Journey! 30 of us moms have been slinging and swaddling all month long, and twittering about our experiences of motherhood along the way. For someone who knew nothing about Twitter, I think I've come a long way in the last month. I never knew a hashmark (#) could be so useful! I can't really summarize the experience in 140 twittering characters, but I'll try and limit it to one blog post.

During this month I feel like I've become more conscientious in my babywearing. I enjoyed wearing Maddie before this contest, but I've learned so much more about the benefits of babywearing that I want to share it with everyone I meet! I used to think it would just make life more convenient (having two hands is something I used to take for granted!) but now I see it as this wonderful way both Dakota and I can bond and communicate with our baby, soothe her, and meet her needs.

I can see how addicting babywearing is, too, but at least it's a healthy addiction! I love my Hotsling for quick trips into the grocery store or for dinner out with friends, because it's so portable and the poppability (ease of getting Madeleine in and out) is fantastic. For longer walks I love our Beco Butterfly II, and for the shower (that's right - we've solved the baby-hates-the-bath dilemma with a sling) I'm quite smitten with our Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Mesh Pouch (a $25 Craigslist find!). I am quite certain that our baby carrier collection will continue to grow (surely I need a wrap, right? And a mei tai?).

I'm spreading the babywearing love, too! I've definitely convinced other people to try babywearing with these carriers and others (I should totally be getting a sales commission here) and I'm headed to a babywearing workshop next Sunday at Soft and Cozy Baby, a local boutique. I've invited the moms and babes in my Thursday playgroup to go to it, and hopefully I can organize a babywearing workshop in our neighborhood, as well. My cousin thinks I should open my own baby boutique, and while that sounds awesome, I think she just wants a discount on some cute slings! ;-) If you want a discount, use code TBWHS15 to save 15% at www.hotslings.com, or check out the clearance section at www.babysnazz.com.

As for the swaddling, we've been in love with our Miracle Blanket since Maddie was about two weeks old and started busting out of a traditional swaddle. For those of you who are wondering what a swaddle is, it's basically putting a baby straight jacket on your kiddo. It keeps their arms from flailing about and waking them up; it is truly the most amazing thing to watch Maddie go from screaming-angry-baby to calm-sleepy-baby in the Miracle Blanket. Sadly, she's starting to get big enough and strong enough to wiggle out of it, so now we have to start transitioning her to a sleepsack. As of this writing, the transition isn't going so great. Without the beloved Miracle Blanket, she won't go to sleep (I tried for about an hour and half last night and the night before - put the MB on her and she was asleep in minutes. If only she'd stop wiggling out of it...) So any hints on how we could get her to love the Halo Sleep Sacks as much as the Miracle Blanket are welcome! If you want a discount on one of these, go to miracleblanket.com and get 10% off one blanket or 15% off two. They call the second deal the Twins Special, but in my opinion, you need two, because when you lose one in the middle of the night to pee/spit up/some other bodily fluid, you'll want a second clean one.  This is seriously something every new parent needs.  It's our new go-to shower gift for pregnant friends. 

The month is drawing to a close, and while I've competed to the best of my ability (I've got 2,240 followers, have updated 763 times, and have loved the weekly #babywearing chats) I know there are a lot of other worthy moms!  Even if I don't win, I've had fun, met some great people, and become a babywearing advocate (I was already a Miracle Blanket junkie - anything that helps new parents got some sleep is priceless in my book!).  If you want to join up for the last few days of my journey, I'm Mom_07 on Twitter (but Mom 1 to Maddie!).

Happy Father's Day!

Today we celebrate Dads and all that they do - the flying, the bouncing, the hugging, the cuddling - Dads are pretty awesome. I'll always remember dancing on my own Father's feet on Saturday mornings, and now I get to see a different perspective of Fatherhood. I love Dakota more than I can explain, and yet seeing him with Maddie brings out this whole other gush of emotions for him. So thank you to my husband, for being a wonderful Dad to Madeleine. Thank you to Rob, for helping to raise such a thoughtful and amazing guy, and thank you to my Dad, for taking the time to dance, to build, and to sing.

Today Dakota and Madeleine are featured in a UK blog dedicated to babywearing. Check it out at Calin Bleu. Aren't they cute? I sure think so.

And, there's a new diaper I'm dying to try. Yes, this belongs in the Father's Day post because they're running a Fathers' Day contest. If you're interested in winning a free diaper set, check out the Applecheeks Contest or visit the Applecheeks site to learn more. I love that name! (And if you win, you'll give them to me, riiiiight?).

Happy Father's Day!

Preakness Party!

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for a very important update!

Ok, not that important, but I am quite behind in my blogging.  So, here's Maddie at her first Preakness Party, complete with a fancy hat, of course.

Doesn't Viraj look great with the baby?  And check out Sarah; what a natural!

Madeleine enjoyed the party immensely, but she got upset and actually missed the race.  Maybe if we'd been watching it live... ;-0

Two Months!

Yesterday Maddie had her two month shots and was weighed and measured.  She is now 12lbs (80th percentile), 22.5" long (50th percentile), and has a head circumference of 39cm (50th percentile).  Her doctor says she's officially outgrown any preemieness (is that a word?) she had.  Whoohoo!

But those shots...oh my.  She was really fussy yesterday afternoon and evening, and nothing would soothe her.  When we got her to go to sleep, she slept for seven, yes, SEVEN hours!  I kept waking to check on her and make sure she was still breathing, and I finally woke her up to feed her because the child's never gone more than four hours without eating!  She ate a little, fell asleep, and woke up fussy three hours later.  Dakota tried to give her a bottle but she wasn't interested, and today has been a further exercise in patience as the fussiness has continued (though the sleeping has been replaced with marathon nursing sessions).  Oi.

Grandparents Part Deux

Grandma and Grandpa Bailey came to visit the second weekend in May, and though I'm sure they were in love with Madeleine before, there was no doubt that they adored her after meeting her in person!   (She does have that affect on people...)

We ate out for the first time at a little Mexican restaurant, and Maddie slept soundly in her Beco carrier while I dropped salsa on her head.  Don't worry, I cleaned it up.  

Throughout their visit my arms were uncharacteristically empty as Grandma and Grandpa were very eager to hold our beautiful little girl.

For my birthday, Grandma and Grandpa watched Maddie so Dakota and I could go out to dinner.  It was strange being away from our pint-sized wonder girl, but nice to enjoy dinner without worrying about her...too much.  We hope to continue to plan some quality together time by swapping babysitting services with our neighbors or taking advantage of the services of others who would like some temporary cuteness responsibility.  Anyone?  Anyone?

And now for some more cuteness.. 

First Grandparent

Whew!  Where has the time gone? 

First, we had a weekend visit from Grandpa.  While he was here Maddie went for her first walk in the rain, then we picked up some yummy cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, and later Grandpa slept so well that he thought Madeleine slept through the night.  Ha!  Funny story.

Of course, they also found time to cuddle.

And there's more than ever to cuddle!  Maddie continues to have a very healthy appetite.  So healthy in fact, that all of her adorable 0-3 month clothes are getting a wee bit tight!  We've started in on the 3-6 month stash, even though little bit is only eight weeks old.  Here's her in one of her "big girl" outfits!

Madeleine also made her debut at church!  I was singing for a worship conference last Thursday morning, and so I wore Maddie in our awesome Beco baby carrier.  She slept through most of the singing, but she got pretty hungry by the end of the mini-set, so I had to pass her off to Pastor Kumar. Then on Sabbath she went to church again, but she didn't get to be upfront that time.  She didn't seem to mind, though she was not averse to the spotlight!  

Social Butterfly

This past week has been busy!  I took Maddie to school and introduced her to all of the teachers and to my students.  She seems to have gained a whole new set of adoring fans!  

That same day she developed her first cold, and when she's sleeping or eating she sounds like an old man snoring.  Poor thing!

Yesterday we held a small open house to introduce our friends to Madeleine.  She did a great job of socializing!  However, once it was over she was done for the day.  And for the next day.  Being a social butterfly is seriously exhausting.

Today we went to the pediatrician's office for her one month visit.  Madeleine is now 9 pounds, 2 ounces!  She's gained a little more than an ounce a day since our last visit.  I swear there was one point when I fed her at 3am and then at 4am I was certain she had gotten bigger (but perhaps I'm just sleep deprived).

More pictures coming soon...